Gibbs Green Tenants Hall houses the weekly food distribution run by Gibbs Green Community Champions, lead by project manager, Sara Benjamin and the rest of the Community Champions. Alwyn, their City Harvest driver is also considered a community ‘champion’ as he has been delivering food each week to the project since they started in 2018.
City Harvest driver, Alwyn, and Community Champion, Terni, at Gibbs Green’s Monday food share
Gibbs Green Tenants Hall houses the weekly food distribution run by Gibbs Green Community Champions, lead by project manager, Sara Benjamin and the rest of the Community Champions. Alwyn, their City Harvest driver is also considered a community ‘champion’ as he has been delivering food each week to the project since they started in 2018.
The Champions cater for anyone who needs food to get them through the week in the local Hammersmith & Fulham area. The recipients consist mostly of families, the socially isolated, the elderly and some homeless. The project is fuelled by community spirit, with friendly drop-ins from neighbours and a registry of regular recipients who rely on their Monday grocery collection from Gibbs Green. Sometimes, food that is left over after Monday’s food share ends is then offered to the local estate and is usually welcomed gladly, therefore Gibbs Green uphold City Harvest’s sustainable ethos by operating a real, zero-waste model.
The team at Gibbs Green
“Every Monday, we’ve been running a food share project for local residents in the Hammersmith & Fulham area. This food gets them through the week. We get a lot of families, single people, elderly people, we say yes to everybody. We’ve actually been running our food share for 3 years now, we just celebrated our third year in March just gone. Over 3 years, we have understood how vital we are for the community and how much this service is needed.” Sara Benjamin, Project Manager (Photo: above far right)
Sara Benjamin, a lady dedicated to the meeting the needs of her local community expresses her gratitude by volunteering at City Harvest’s Acton depot.
Sara, pictured with Andrew from City Harvest, also volunteers at City Harvest’s Acton depot
“As a Project Manager myself, to show my appreciation, I sometimes go down to the City Harvest depot to volunteer there. It’s great to see behind the scenes, where all our food is coming from, and how it all works. So, I get to know both sides of the cycle and have gotten to know quite a few of the staff members very well. Thank you, City Harvest, for all of your kind donations which allow us to serve the community!” – Sara Benjamin, Project Manager
Who Gibbs Green Community Champions feed
Gibbs Green Community Champions welcomes around 50-60 food recipients weekly. People love the project as they are able to choose their food and are welcomed weekly by team members who have gotten to know their needs and individual circumstances.
The food provides a lifeline for the range of service users who come every Monday to receive a bag of essential groceries.
One young, disabled recipient heavily relies on the help of food distribution centres like Gibbs Green. The food she can get from various community projects get her through the week, with a helping hand in the kitchen from a carer. Being unemployed, she struggles to get-by week on week as has little income and volunteers for no wage, therefore free, nutritious food that she can cook easily has been a massive help, especially throughout lockdown.
Christine
Christine, a chef by trade, used to cook for vulnerable people in Harlesden until 2 years ago. Throughout Covid, Christine herself has relied on the help of food projects like Gibbs Green and loves to feel like an active part of her community when chatting to other recipients.
“Gibbs Green has been a godsend for me and my children, and for many families here on the estate. Sara and the staff are very friendly and helpful, and they are the best ladies and gents doing the best food bank at the moment. Thank you guys and keep it up.” – Christine, recipient
Esther
Esther from Trieste, Italy, is 94 years old and receives food from various community projects including Gibbs Green and Sant Egidio from the City Harvest charity community. Dancing happily and singing in Italian in the queue, Esther’s joy is contagious. Her approachable and kind nature embodies the spirit of community that so many of our charity recipients uphold. Esther’s gratitude for surplus food and the communities that share it is evident through her unwavering spirit.
If you would like to help City Harvest to support even more community-oriented projects, like Gibbs Green Community Champions, with free, nutritious, surplus food, then donate now to make a real difference.
City Harvest delivers food to charities, groups and projects feeding vulnerable Londoners in every borough.
